Late TD sends Rams to semifinals

STOCKTON – Hunter Low and the St. Mary’s offense stared at an expanse that measured 80 yards, and must have seemed like 800.

But they never blinked.

Low, the Rams’ senior backup quarterback, was directing an offense that had been lifeless in surrendering a 17-point second-half lead. But he maneuvered the Rams down the field as they rallied for a 31-28 Sac-Joaquin Section Division 1 football victory over visiting Sheldon on Friday night.

St. Mary's will next play at No. 2 Oak Ridge on Nov. 24, after Oak Ridge beat Gregori 49-14 on Friday.

Low’s 30-yard scoring strike to junior Joe Fontes with two minutes to play lifted the Rams into next Friday’s semifinal matchup.

“Things hadn’t been going well for us in the second half, but we stayed calm and were confident that we would score,” Low said. “I knew he was going to come down with the catch. I just put it up there for him.”

Added Fontes: “We had that pass interference penalty that set us back (first and 25), so we pretty much had to pass. We stayed together on that drive and believed.”

Even after the touchdown, this wild game wasn’t secure until Harrison Heath’s interception with 40 seconds to play.

After taking a 24-7 halftime lead in a most bizarre manner – more on that later – the Rams leaked oil throughout most of the second half. St. Mary’s offense was stagnant and powerful Sheldon running back Tyrell Smith (27 carries for 164 yards) was a drive finisher.

Smith scored on runs of 2, 13 and 16 yards, and the Huskies shockingly moved in front 28-24 with just under four minutes to play.

“Sheldon’s a good team and they battled,” St. Mary’s Coach Tony Franks said. “We were hanging on. This was one of those games where it was up to us to respond. We did so on that last drive. I can’t say enough about the way Hunter Low has handled things the last two weeks.”

Marcus Aponte, who has battled a toe injury, started at quarterback for the Rams. He played long enough to throw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Nicolas Reis and run for a 1-yard score. But the reins then were turned over to Low, who completed 8 of 17 passes for 83 yards.

Low also threw an interception that jump-started a frantic end to the first half. With two seconds left, Sheldon tried a 43-yard field goal that would have cut the Rams’ lead to one score (17-10). But William Brown burst threw to block the kick and linebacker Rick Telitz scooped up the ball and raced 65 yards for a 24-7 lead.

“I just was running as fast as I could,” Telitz said. “Maybe even a little faster than I thought I could run. It was a huge play for us to add that extra score before the half.”

Jordan Doyle’s 55-yard return of a fumbled backward pass also proved big, setting up St. Mary’s first touchdown.

“Those were big plays, no question,” Frank said.

Sheldon also had quarterback issues. Francisco Salinas, who helped lead the 21 unanswered points in the second half, missed the Huskies’ last two series with a leg injury.

The bottom line for St. Mary’s after all of the drama: survive and advance.

“We’re battling and playing for each other,” Low said. “This was a great win and we look forward to moving on to the next round.”

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